Thanks to shows like Forged in Fire and Iron and Fire, people cannot get enough of blacksmith television. While blacksmithing is more of a hobby now, it was once an important and reputable career in ancient and historical societies. Even though you do not see many people in this trade anymore, it is slowly coming back.
Are you a blacksmith or a blacksmith-in-training and are looking for new hammers? Or maybe you want to add to your collection? Either way, we created a list of over 20 blacksmith hammers that you need to check out.
Different Types of Blacksmith Hammers
It is time to add to your collection. Keep scrolling to see many different kinds of blacksmith hammers and their usage.
1. Cross Peen (Pein) Hammer
A cross peen (pein) hammer has a head/blade that is perpendicular to its handle. You can find them in a variety of forms — sharp, round, flat, smooth or even textured.
2. German Square Faced Cross Peen Hammer
If you are a traditionalist, you need to check out the German Squared Faced Cross Peen Hammer. Plus, you can use this hammer for almost all your forging needs.
3. Swedish Cross Peen
The Swedish Cross Peen is a hammer forged in Sweden. This type of hammer is good for more intricate work, scale forgings or planishing. It has a unique shape and comes in a variety of sizes and weights.
4. French Cross Peen
As one of the most common blacksmith hammers, the French Cross Peen features a square face and cross peen, which gives you more surface area for drawing.
5. Czech Hammer or Hofi Hammer
With a small handle and squared head, a Czech or Hofi hammer is a great new addition to any blacksmith kit. This hammer gives you a nice balance with every swing thanks to ergonomic properties.
Also Read: Types of Blacksmith Tongs
6. Ball Peen Hammer, Machinists Hammer Or Engineers Hammer
Do you need a hammer with more heft? Then, the Ball Peen (Machinists or Engineers) Hammer is right for you. This hammer is the best for metals and will have a harder time chipping.
7. Straight Peen Hammer
A Straight Peen Hammer has a head or blade that is parallel to its handle. You can find it sharp, rounded, flat, smooth or even textured. It is the perfect hammer for woodworking, blacksmith, metal projects and stone crafts.
8. Diagonal-Peen Hammer
The Diagonal-Peen Hammer has a head or blade that is diagonal to its handle. Just like the straight peen hammer, you can purchase a round, flat, sharp, smooth or textured hammer.
9. Chisel-Peen Hammer
A piece not usually used in most situations, the Chisel-Peen hammer has a sharp wedge as its head.
10. Clipping Hammer
Are you a farrier who handles horseshoes? Then, you are most likely familiar with Clipping Hammers. This hammer has sharp edges and a round point.
11. Planishing Hammers
Blacksmiths use a Planishing Hammer to smooth, polish and flatten metal with every strike.
12. Japanese Blacksmithing Hammer
If you enjoy forging knives, then you need a Japanese Blacksmithing Hammer. It has a small face, which works better for narrow or small projects.
13. Rounding Hammers or Brian Bazeal Style Hammers
Known as the Rounding (Brian Bazel Style) Hammer, many blacksmiths use it for its rounded blade. With years of experience, you can use this hammer to make any shape.
14. FileMaker Hammer
Not used by most people anymore, a FileMaker Hammer’s purpose is to score flat pieces of metal like iron to create files.
15. Blacksmithing Sledge Hammer
Many of us have seen the Blacksmithing Sledge Hammers, especially in movies. People use this hammer for harder strikes, especially when they need to make changes or are working on a large piece.
16. Blacksmith Flatter
A blacksmith flatter looks like many of the other hammers, but its purpose is to flatten irregular stock in metals. This piece is easy to use for any beginner.
17. Top Butchers and Side Sets
Blacksmiths use Top Butches and Side Sets hammers to square the shoulders of projects.
18. Custom Made Hammers
Did you know that you can purchase or make a custom-made hammer? That is right! You can build a hammer from scratch that matches your preference.
19. Trip Hammers, Tilt Hammer or Helve Hammer
Even though you do not use Trip (Tilt or Helve) Hammers for commercial use, many blacksmiths used them in the past. Plus, it is a cool piece to have in any collection.
20. Steam Powered Drop Hammers
Do you want to combine historical and contemporary uses while forging? Then, you need to check out Steam Powered Drop Hammers.
21. Forging Presses: Hydraulic, Mechanical, Screw
If you are a traditionalist, a forging press will not be for you. But if you enjoy modern technology, then you need to try out a Hydraulic, Mechanical or Screw forging press.
22. Forging Hammers: Gravity Drop, Power Drop, Counterblow
A broad category of forging power hammers, includes the Gravity Drop, Power Drop and Counterblow hammers. They even fall under steam, mechanical and air hammers.
Now is time to fill up your blacksmith tool kit. Check out each one of these hammers to see if you need to add them to your collection. Want to see more lifestyle content? Subscribe to our blog today to get notifications every time we post.